Circuit breaker stack including auxiliary features



Feb. 13, 1968 c. E. GRYCTKO 3,369,202

CIRCUIT BREAKER STACK INCLUDING AUXILIARY FEATURES Fild Sept. 13, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l IE-E 05/2410/4 [4552 (Zeta JOF/fn/ ArroeM: Y5

Feb. 13, 1968 c. E. GRYCTKO 3,369,202

CIRCUIT BREAKER STACK INCLUDING AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 13, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Afro 2M6 Ys Feb. 13, 1968 C. E. GRYCTKO 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 13, 1965 y z J 5 4 9 v i H 3 4 2 2 5 W@/ mm I 1 5 2% 5 1 RNA I w, .2 w 0 4 W J/\}@ 4 1| 7 2 3 w A. a 5 5 M n/v U1 4% n3 [/1 7,; W 5 Tu 4 y I w w .7 /w@ Z M; 2 "7 r INVENTOR. (he! @eyerleo CIRCUIT BREAKER STACK INCLUDING AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 13, 1965 Feb. 13, 1968 c. E. GRYCTKO 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. (2Z1 5 676/6720 flzv'azA/ms Feb. 13, 1968 c. E. GRYCTKO 3,369,202

CIRCUIT BREAKER STACK INCLUDING AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 13, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JET- 5- 1 N VEN TOR.

United States Patent My invention relates to auxiliary trip units for circuit breakers, and more particularly to such units which may be conveniently added to standard molded case circuit breaker units in an extremely simplified manner without costly mechanism changes.

Circuit breaker units conventionally include a pair of cooperating contacts which are series connected within the circuit being protected. A trip means for sensing the circuit load condition is operatively connected to the contacts such that upon the occurrence of a predetermined overload condition, the contacts are automatically moved from their engaged condition to a disengaged position, thereby interrupting the current flow through the circuit. Under conditions of multiphase operation, the occurrence of a fault in any one of the phases must be effective to bring about simultaneous openings of all the phases. In the larger frame size type of breakers, as for example of the type shown in US. Patent No. 3,155,- 802, in the name of E. R. Wortmann, entitled U-Shaped Cradle for Circuit Breaker, issued November 3, 1964 and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, a single contact operating mechanism is provided for all the phases, with an individual fault responsive means being provided for each phase. All of the fault responsive means are effective to operate a common tripper bar whose operation causes the operating mechanism to simultaneously open the contacts of all phases. In, however, the smaller frame size of circuit breakers, of the type generally utilized for home and light industrial applications, it is the conventional practice to include identical circuit breaker units for each of the phases. Each of the units include their own contact operating mechanism and fault responsive means. Such individual circuit breaker units are suitably interconnected, as for example in the manner shown in the stacked array of US. Patent No. 2,996,589, in the name of Felix E. Myers, entitled Pivoted Bimetal, issued August 15, 1961 and also assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, such that the operation of any one of the individual phase units to its tripped position will be transmitted to the other phase units for operation thereof in unison to their respective trip positions.

It is oftentimes desirable to bring about opening of the circuit breaker poles under conditions other than the existence of an overcurrent fault condition. For example, it might be desirable to have a shunt trip auxiliary device which will automatically open the circuit breaker units by the actuation of a push button, remote from the circuit being sensed. An example of such operation is in a machine shop wherein such a remote control push button would be located in the vicinity of the machine to permit the operator to automatically interrupt the current thereto in the event of an emergency condition.

It is oftentimes also desirable to bring about the opening of the circuit breakers if there is an undervoltage condition existing. Although fault currents may not be generated in any of the individual phases, the equipment might not be operating in its intended manner and therefore under such circumstances it is best that the operation of the equipment be halted by an undervoltage trip.

Another type of auxiliary feature oftentimes required is known as an auxiliary switch. Such a device provides remote indication of the circuit breaker unit. Such an auxiliary switch typically contains two sets of contacts, with a common mid-connector operatively connected to the associated circuit breaker unit. As the breaker moves between its engaged and disengaged conditions, the midconnector closes or opens respective contacts with such information being transmitted to a remote location.

In the larger frame size breakers, particularly of the multiphase variety, the addition of such auxiliary features is typically achieved by the location of suitable apparatus directly within the units housing. Such an arrangement is typically shown in US. Patent No. 3,175,064, in the name of Felix E. Myers, entitled Shunt Trip and Under Voltage Device, issued March 23, 1965 and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. However, in the smaller frame size breakers used for home and light industrial application, there is no room within the individual housings to include such auxiliary features. Because of the various complexities that would be introduced in adding the typical prior art auxiliary devices to such individual pole circuit breaker units, their use has been very restrictive, requiring costly or special mechanism changes. 1

My invention is specifically directed to adding such auxiliary features to presently existing single phase units in an extremely simplified manner, not requiring a modification of the circuit breaker units themselves, and by the addition of devices differing only slightly from the circuit breaker units themselves. More specifically, the instant invention contemplates forming such shunt trip, undervoltage trip or auxiliary switch devices as an additional pole, utilizing the basic contact operating mechanism and trip interconnection of the circuit breaker units themselves and stacking such auxiliary switch devices to the circuit breaker in much the same manner as the breakers themselves are stacked for multiphase operation. That is, the auxiliary switching device is constructed within the same type housing as the individual circuit breaker pole units, and uses a maximum number of the operating components thereof. The auxiliary switching device is then stacked in side by side relationship adjacent the individual pole circuit breaker units, in the wellknown manner shown in aforementioned US. Patent No. 2,996,589, with a common tripping element extending therebetween. Such common tripping element is of the same configuration as is used to interconnect the trip units of the individual circuit breakers themeslves, and is actuated in an analogous manner.

For example, considering the operation of the undervoltage', or shunt trip unit, the actuation thereof will release a latchable means within its device, which moves the interconnecting common element in the same manner as if one of the poles of a stacked array of circuit breaker units had been tripped. This moves all the adjacent units, in unison, to their trip condition. Conversely, considering the operation of the auxiliary switch device, the actuation of the circuit breaker units will simultaneously trip the latchable member of the auxiliary switch device such that its contacts will be moved between its respective conditions.

It is therefore seen that my invention permits the inclusion of such auxiliary features, to existing commercially available circuit breaker devices, merely by stacking an additional unit adjacent thereto, in the same manner that such individual pole unitsare presently stacked for multipole operation, and interconnecting such auxiliary device to the circuit breakers in the exact same manner as the circuit breaker units themselves are interconnected. Further, inasmuch as my invention does not require the modification of the circuit breaker units themselves (except where it is added to a single pole unit not having provision for a common element), such auxiliary features may be conveniently added to already existing circuit breaker installations with a minimum of effort, time and complications.

It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide a novel construction for an auxiliary device which may be easily augmented to existing circuit breaker units.

Another object is to provide an auxiliary device which may be added as an additional pole to a stacked array of individual pole circuit breaker units, in much the same manner as the units themselves are stacked together for multipole operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide such an auxiliary device of the shunt trip variety.

An additional object of my invention is to provide such an auxiliary device of the undervoltage trip variety.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such an auxiliary device of the auxiliary switch variety.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide an auxiliary trip device, responsive to other than an overload condition, which is contained in an individual housing having substantially identical external construction as the housing of the circuit breaker unit to which it is to be connected.

Still an additional object of my invention is to provide the combination of a plurality of individual first and second types of switching devices, stacked side by side with a common element extending therebetween for movement thereof in unison to their trip position, with the first type of switching device being a circuit breaker and the second type of switching device being constructed similar to the circuit breaker device and enclosed in a substantially identical housing, but responsive to a nonoverload condition.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide such a combination of stacked individual switching devices wherein either type thereof may be conveniently added to or removed with a minimum of disassembly and part modification.

These as well as other objects of my invention will become readily apparent after reading the following descriptions of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of a stack of three single phase circuit breakers, looking towards the load terminals thereof, in conjunction with an auxiliary device of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 33 of FIG. 1 (intermediate the housing and cover of one of the circuit breaker units), and showing the mechanism thereof in the ON condition.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 with the circuit breaker mechanism however being shown in the trip condition.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 (intermediate the housing and cover of one form of auxiliary shunt trip device in accordance with the instant invention), shown in the nonactuated condition.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5, with the device being shown in the actuated condition.

FIG. 7 is another form of auxiliary device, an undervoltage trip device, in accordance with the instant invention, shown in the nonactuated condition.

FIG. 8 is still another form of auxiliary device, an auxiliary switch, in accordance with the instant invention, shown in a condition corresponding to the ON condition of the associated circuit breaker units.

FIG. 9 is another form of auxiliary shunt trip device, of the general type shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but having a modified actuating structure.

Now referring to the figures, the stack of switching devices 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises three single phase circuit breakers 11, 12, 13 mounted side by side, and interconnected in the general manner shown in aforementioned US. Patent 2,996,589. Also stacked adjacent thereto, is a switching device of another type, in accordance with the instant invention, shown as 14. Switching device 14 is illustratively of the shunt trip variety. However, as will be more fully discussed in the ensuing discussion (and shown in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8), this auxiliary device may alternatively be of the undervoltage trip or auxiliary switch variety.

It will be initially noted that the external housings, of both the circuit breaker units 11, 12, 13 and the auxiliary device 14 are of substantially identical configuration. In fact, in practice, the identical housing moldings may advantageously be used for both devices. Because of the similarity of components, which will become increasingly obvious as the description continues, corresponding element in the circuit breaker unit 11, 12, 13 (FIG. 3) and the auxiliary devices 14 (FIG. 5), (FIG. 7), (FIG. 8) and 220 (FIG. 9) will henceforth be indicated by the same numerals.

The manual operating handles 15 of all three circuit breaker units 11, 12, 13 and auxiliary device 14 are tied together by an elongated cap 15' and pin 16 so that the manual operation of all the units occurs simultaneously.

Since each of the circuit breakers 11-13 is of an identical construction, both internal and external, only circuit breaker 11 will be described in detail, it being understood that circuit breakers 12 and 13 have the same construction. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, circuit breaker 11 comprises a base 18 of molded insulating material having an open side capped by removable cover 20, which is also constructed of molded insulating material, with cover 20 being secured to base 18 by rivets 21 which pass through all three circuit breakers 1113 and auxiliary switching device 14. Stationary contact 22 is mounted to extension 23 of female stab type line terminal 24 which is disposed in a suitably shaped base recess. The lower end 25 of the line terminal 24 is accessible through a suitable slot formed by the cooperation of cover 20 and base 13.

Cooperating with stationary contact 22 is movable contact 26 which is mounted at the lower end of movable contact arm 27 whose upper end abuts a suitable pivot forming formation in portion 28 of manual operating member 15. Parallel plate slotted arc extinguishing means 99 is operatively positioned to receive and extinguish electric current arcs drawn between contacts 22, 26. Manual operating member 15 is pivoted about protrusions 29 thereof which is entered into suitable recesses (not shown) of cover 20 and base 18.

Operating mechanism 30, for bringing about the engagement and disengagement of cooperating contacts 22, 26 comprises latchable cradle 31 which is pivoted at one end thereof at base protrusion 32. One end of operating spring 33 i tied to cradle 31 at a point intermediate the ends thereof while the other end of spring 33 is tied to contact arm 27. Operating spring 33 is always tensioned thereby urging contact arm 27 upward into engagement with its pivot or manual operating member 15. The other end of cradle 31 comprises latch tip 34 which is engageable by latch 35 secured to control member 36.

Control member 36 comprises an elongated bimetallic element which is mounted near the upper end thereof to pivot pin 37. Magnet 38 is secured to control member 36 near the lower end thereof by rivet 35'. Bifurcated member 39 is secured to control member 36 below magnet 38. A pair of conducting braids 40a extend from a pair of legs (not shown) of bifurcated member 39 to contact arm 27 and provide dual electrical paths between contact arm 27 and bimetallic element 36.

Control member 36 is biased in a clockwise direction by pivot spring 40 which is disposed in recess 40' of base 18 with one end of spring 40 abutting wall 42 of recess 40' and the other end of spring 40 abutting the portion of control member 36 positioned above pivot 37. The normal position of control member 36 is set by adjusting screw 43 which extends through an opening in base 18 and is received by nut 44 disposed in a suitable recess in base 18. The end of screw 43 opposite head 45 thereof abuts one leg of tensioning member 46, thereby forcing tensioning member 46 against control member 36 to bodily move control member 36 about pivot 37.

When magnet 38 is energized sufiiciently by current flowing through control member 36, magnet 38 is attracted to armature 47.

Thus, the current carrying path through circuit breaker 11, beginning at the load side thereof, comprises terminal 58, braid 57 to the upper end of bimetallic control member 36, through control member 36 and bifurcated member 39, through the parallel paths formed by braids 40a, 40b to contact arm '27, and through engaged cooperating contacts 26, 22 to line terminal 24.

Roller 30, pivoted at 60 to cradle 31, engages trip member 61 upon operation of cradle 31 between its latched position (FIG. 3) and its tripped position (FIG. 4). Engagement of trip member 61 by roller 30 forces trip member 61 counter-clockwise about pivot 37 into engagement with control 36 thereby causing member 36 to pivot counter-clockwise about pivot 37 against the force of spring 40.

When cradle 31 moves from the circuit breaker ON position of FIG. 3 to the tripped position of FIG. 4, the end 65 of kicker 66 which is pivoted at 67 to cradle 31 now engages contact arm 27 with a hammerlike blow, thereby assuring separation of contacts 22, 26 even though there is a tendency for these contacts to weld.

Common tie bar 17 is an elongated member of uniform cross-section which is disposed within opening 62 of each of the trip levers 61 of circuit breakers 1113, as well as the auxiliary device 14 as will be subsequently described. For this purpose a round opening 63 is formed in the closed side of base 18 and an aligned similar round opening (not shown) is formed in cover 20.

With all the circuit breakers in the closed position of FIG. 3, should an overload condition occur in any of the circuit breakers 11-13, the latch 35 of the overloaded circuit breaker will move to the right thereby releasing its associated latch tip 34 so that operating spring 33 will force cradle 31 to rotate clockwise about pivot 32 to the tripped position of FIG. 4.

During this movement of cradle 31, roller 31 carried about the central body portion thereof. Side support 112 includes laterally extending projections 117, 118 which enter housing recesses 120, 122, respectively, for suitably seating the electromagnetic trip unit 110 therein. This auxiliary device electromagnetic trip unit 111]- is of a suitable size and shape such that the protrusion members 117, 118 extend into thesame housing openings 120, 122 as are provided for seating armature member 47 of the corresponding circuit breaker unit as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Armature member 125 is pivotally mounted by end extensions 127 to suitable openings 129 within the housing side walls 112 such that a generally V-shaped gap exists therebetween and the pole faces 115 of the U-shaped magnet structure. Armature 125 is biased away from pole faces 115 by the arc-shaped spring member 122. It is to be noted that end 131 of the armature member 125 is directly adjacent latch tip 101 secured to the elongated member 103 such that upon movement of the armature thereby will engage trip lever 61 causing a counter-clockwise movement thereof about pin 37. This counter-clockwise movement of the trip lever 61 of the overloaded phase is transmitted through tie bar 17 so that the trip levers 61 of the circuit breakers which are not overloaded will also move counterclockwise about their pivots 37 into engagement with their respective control members 36. These respective control members 36 will in this manner be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 37 and the latches 35 carried thereby will release their associated latch tips 34, thereby bringing about the automatic tripping of the phases which have not been subjected to the overload conditions.

Reference is now made to the shun-t trip type of auxiliary switching device as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It is to be initially noted that the basic latchable operation thereof corresponds to that of the circuit breaker device in FIGS. 3 and 4, with the movement between the shunt trip nonactuated condition of FIG. 5 and actuated condition of FIG. 6 being effected by the release of cradle tip 34 from its latched tip 101 which is mounted to the free end of elongated member 103. Elongated member 103 is supported in much the same manner as bimetallic member 36 is supported in the corresponding circuit breaker unit, with it being especially noted that the mid-section of elongated member 103 is in the path of trip member 61 upon counterclockwise movement thereof.

Shunt trip unit 14 includes an electromagnetically actuated trip 110 having an insulative side support 112. A generally U-shaped magnet structure, including side pieces 114 supported thereon with coil member 117 wrapped v toward its cooperating magnet 115 armature end 131 will strike latch means 101 in a manner serving to defeat its latched engagement with cradle tip 34.

The electromagnetic structure may alternatively be of the type shown in US. patent application filed in the names of Charles T. Robins and Weston W. Goodnow (on even date herewith), Serial No. 486,815 entitled Electromagnetic Structure and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

The energization for coil 117 of the electromagnet is externally provided at the external terminal 58 and com ductor 135. Conductor terminal 58 is connected via braid member 137 to trip unit terminal 139 which in turn is connected to one end 141 of the coil structure. The op- .posite conductor is connected via conductor member 145 to the stationary contact member 22. Movable contact arm 27 is in turn connected via braid 40a to trip unit terminal means 147, which is connected to the opposite coil end 149.

Thus, the current carrying path for energization of coil 117 comprises terminal 58, braid 137, shunt trip unit terminal 139, end 141 of the coil 116, coil 116, opposed end 149 of the coil, trip unit terminal 147, braid conductor 49a, movable contact arm 27, movable contact 26, stationary contact 22, conductor member 145, and external conductor 135. It is to be noted that the contact pair 22, 26 is series connected within the energizing path of electromagnetic shunt trip coil 117.

Operation of the shunt trip unit as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is as follows:

The actuating coil 117 thereof is energized by closing an external switch (not shown) which completes the above-described electrical circuit. The coil when so energized will have sufficient strength to attract armature member 125 to the magnet pole faces 115, thereby causing armature end 131 to strike latch tip 101 and move it in a direction to unlatch the cradle tip 34. Such unlatching serves to trip the device to the condition shown in FIG. 6, in much the same manner as the corresponding circuit breaker is moved to the trip condition of FIG. 4 discussed above. This causes the cooperating contacts 22, 27, which in this case are used as auxiliary contacts to interrupt the energization of coil 117. Trip unit 14 is actuated to the condition shown in FIG. 6, and roller 30 connected to latchable cradle 31 abuts trip member 61 for moving same in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 37. The counterclockwise movement of the trip member 61 of the shunt trip device is transmitted through common element tie bar 17 so that the trip lever 61 of In an alternative manner, should any of the interconnected circuit breaker pole units 11, 12, 13 trip, all the other poles will trip including the shunt trip device 14. By having armature member 125 mounted separate from elongated member 103, counterclockwise rotational overt-ravel of the trip member 61 is permitted, so as to not inhibit the movement of the trip members 61 of the circuit breaker units 11, 12, 13.

It is to be noted that the connection between conventional circuit breaker units 11, 12, 13 and shunt trip device 14 merely requires the riveting of their respective housings together, the insertion of common tie bar elements 17 through their respective trip members 61 and the tying together of their handles by elongated cap 15. Such interconnecting members are all required for operating the circuit breaker units 11, 12, 13 in unison, and the addition of shunt trip member 100 merely requires an additional length thereof.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which shows a modification 150 of my invention to operate as an undervoltage device. The latchable operating mechanism thereof corresponds essentially to that shown in the circuit breaker unit of FIGS. 3 and 4 and the shunt trip embodiment of FIGS. and 6. The electromagnetically actuated trip unit 151 thereof includes a magnetic base member 152, magnetic side pieces 154 and an armature 156. Coil member 158 wound about magnetic base 152 includes leads 160, 162. Lead 160 is connected to external circuit conductor 164 and lead 162 is connected to terminal member 58. There is also a relatch crank 171 pivoted at 172, an elongated latch member 174 containing latch 157 and an undervoltage spring 176.

Operation of the undervoltage unit 150 is as follows:

Coil member 158 is normally energized by the sensing voltage applied to conductor 164 and terminal member 58. As long as this voltage is above a predetermined level, the force attracting armature 156 will be sufficient to counteract the biasing force of spring 176, such that armature 156 is maintained against magnet pole 155 and the latch member 157 will engage the latch tip 34 of the cradle member. However, as the voltage drops below a predetermined level, the armature holding force will drop and the force of undervoltage spring 176 will be sufiicient to rotate the elongated member 174 counterclockwise about its upper end, such that latch member 157 will move out of latching engagement with cradle tip 34. This in turn will permit tripping of the undervoltage unit 150, such that its cradle member moves to a position, generally corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Roller 30 thereof engages trip member 61 for movement thereof in a counterclockwise direction, so as to trip all the remaining interconnected devices via the movement of common element 17.

As manual handle 15 is moved to the relatch position, the cradle assembly 31 moves upwards thus engaging the relatch crank 171. As the relatch crank 171 turns clockwise because of the action of the cradle 31 thereagainst, it forces the elongated latch carrying member 174 and armature 156 to rotate clockwise about the upper end thereof, thereby moving armature 156- into engagement with pole faces 155. Since the electromagnetic coil 158 will be energized, the armature 156 will be attracted to pole faces 155 and will be continually held there if the control circuit voltage is high enough.

FIG. 8 shows still another form of my invention, wherein unit 180 is of the auxiliary switch variety, for applications requiring remote ON or OFF indication or electrical interlocking. Contact arm 27' includes a pair of movable contacts 26 and 26 at the opposed sides thereof. Contact 26 cooperates with stationary contact 22 connected to terminal member 25. Contact 26 cooperates with an additional stationary contact member 182 located within a suitable housing pocket and electrically connected to external conductor 184. Contact arm 27' is directly connected as by braid member 186 to the other terminal 58. Cradle member 31 includes a latch tip 34 which is held in its latch position by right angle end portion 188 of elongated latch member 190. The condition as shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the condition where the interconnected circuit breaker units such as 11, 12 and 13 are in their engaged condition. As such, a circuit will be completed via terminal 58, braid 186, contact arm 27', cooperating contacts 26, 22 and opposite terminal 25. Hence, contacts 22, 26 serve as normally closed contacts to indicate the engaged condition of the interconnected circuit breaker devices 11, 12, 13. Should any one of the circuit breaker devices 11, 12 or 13 trip, such movement will be transmitted via common elements 17 so as to move trip member 61 of the auxiliary switch device in a counterclockwise direction. This movement will serve to rotate elongated latch carrying member 190 counterclockwise about its upper end thereby unlatching cradle tip 34 from latch tip 188 and moving auxiliary device to a trip condition (corresponding essentially to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 6). Opposed contact member 26' of contact arm 27 will now engage contact 182. In this condition, corresponding to the tripping of the associated circuit breaker devices, a circuit will be completed via terminal 58, braid 186, contact arm 27', contact 26', cooperating stationary contact 182 and external conductor 184. Hence, the contacts 26', 182 serve as normally open contacts which indicate tripping of the associated circuit breaker uni-ts.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which shows another form of shunt trip device 220, of the general type discussed in FIGS. 5 and 6, above, but having a modified form of actuating structure 200. The magnetic structure 202 thereof includes an energizing coil 206, with magnetic side pieces 202 thereabout. One lead 209 of the coil is connected to terminal 58, and the opposite lead 210 is connected to braid 40a. Cooperating armature member 215 is connected to the free end of elongated member 103, as is latch member 212, which engages the cradle latch tip 34. Hence, upon actuation of coil 206, armature 215 is moved to the right, as shown in FIG. 9, rotating elongated member 103 counterclockwise about its pivot 37, thereby serving to unlatch cradle tip 34. Since armature member 215 is mounted to the elongated member 103, compensation for overtravel may be provided by forming elongated member 103 of a material of suitable flexibility so that it bends when the armature 215 engages the magnet 202.

It should likewise be understood that the various embodiments of my invention for shunt trip, undervoltage or auxiliary switch application may be interconnected and combined with any desired number of individual pole units, thereby further adding to the versatility of operation afforded by the instant invention.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. The combination comprising a plurality of individual switching devices of a first and second type, stacked side by side;

and a common element extending between said plurality of switching devices, whereby the movement of any one of said plurality of switching devices from a first to a second condition causes the remaining ones of said switching devices to move to said second condition;

each of said switching devices including an operating mechanism having a latchable means;

latch means for maintaining said latchable means in its latched condition, whereby its respective switching device is maintained in said first condition;

said latch means movable to a tripped condition, whereby said latchable means is unlatched and its respective switching device is moved to said second condition;

a trip member operatively connected between said latch means and said common element, such that move ment of the latch means of one of said switching devices to its tripped condition moves its trip member in a direction moving said common element in a tripping direction, and moving the trip members of all of the remaining switching devices in said direction, such that all of said remaining trip members moving in unison to trip their respective switching devices;

said first type of switching devices being a circuit breaker including a pair of cooperating contacts;

said contacts being engaged in said first condition and disengaged in said second condition;

an overload sensing trip means operatively connected to the circuit breaker latch means for movement thereof to its tripped condition responsive to a predetermined overload condition;

said second type of switching device including an undervoltage trip means operatively connected to its respective latch means for movement thereof to its tripped condition responsive to a sensed voltage below a predetermined level;

such that the movement of said second type of switching device to its tripped condition responsive to an undervoltage condition automatically moves said common elements in said tripping direction to move said first type of switching device to its second condition.

2. The combination comprising a plurality of individual switching devices of a first and second type, stacked side by side;

and a common element extending between said plurality of switching devices, whereby the movement of any one of said plurality of switching devices from a first to a second condition causes the remaining ones of said switching devices to move to said second condition;

each of said switching devices including an operating mechanism having a latchable means;

latch means for maintaining said latchable means in its latched condition, whereby its respective switching device is maintained in said first condition;

said latch means movable to a tripped condition, whereby said latchable means is unlatched and its respective switching device is moved to said second condition;

a trip member operatively connected between said latch means and said common element, such that movement of the latch means of one of said switching devices to its tripped condition moves its trip member in a direction moving said common element in a tripping direction, and moving the trip members of all of the remaining switching devices in said direction, such that all of said remaining trip members moving in unison to trip their respective switching devices;

said first type of switching devices being a circuit breaker including a pair of cooperating contacts;

said contacts being engaged in said first condition and disengaged in said second condition;

an overload sensing trip means operatively connected to the circuit breaker latch means for movement thereof to its tripped condition responsive to a predetermined overload condition;

said second type of switching device including a shunt trip means operatively connected to its respective latch means for movement thereof responsive to a remote tripping signal;

said shunt trip means including a latch actuating means,

and circuit means for connection thereof to an external tripping signal;

such that the reception of a remote tripping signal trips said second type of switching device, and moves said common element in said tripping direction to effect movement of said first type of switching device to their second condition.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein an individual housing is provided for each of said first and second types of switching devices, for enclosing same as an integral unit;

the housing of said second type of switching device of substantially identical external construction to the housing of said first type of switching device;

said common element comprising an elongate member extending through aligned housing openings of adjacently stacked switching devices;

said common element of a suitable cross-sectional configuration to freely pass through said aligned housing and connect to the trip members enclosed within extending through aligned housing openings of adjacently stacked switching devices;

said common element of a suitable cross-sectional configuration to freely pass through said aligned housing and connect to the trip members enclosed within their respective housings.

5. The combination comprising a plurality of individual switching devices of a first and second type, stacked side by side;

and a common element extending between said plurality of switching devices, whereby the movement of any one of said plurality of switching devices from a first to a second condition causes the remaining ones of said switching devices to move to said second condition;

each of said switching devices including an operating mechanism having a latchable means;

latch means for maintaining said latchable means in its latched condition, whereby its respective switching device is maintained in said first condition;

said latch means movable to a tripped condition, whereby said latchable means is unlatched and its respective switching device is moved to said second condition;

a trip member operatively connected between said latch means and said common element, such that movement of the latch means of one of said switching devices to its tripped condition moves its trip member in a direction moving said common element in a tripping direction, and moving the trip members of all of the remaining switching devices in said direction, such that all of said remaining trip members moving in unison to trip their respective switching devices;

said first type of switching devices being a circuit breaker including a pair of cooperating contacts;

said contacts being engaged in said first condition and disengaged in said second condition;

a overload sensing trip means operatively connected to the circuit breaker latch means for movement thereof to its tripped condition responsive to a predetermined overload condition;

said second type of switching device including an auxiliary trip means responsive to other than an overload condition;

such that the movement of said second type of switching means to its tripped condition responsive to said other condition moves said common element in said tripping direction to move said first type of switching device to its second condition in the absence of an overload.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5,

said auxiliary trip means being electromagnetically actuated and including cooperating magnet and armature means;

energizing means for actuating said electromagnetic trip, and circuit means for the connection thereof to an external auxiliary trip signal.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 5,

an individual housing is provided for each of said first and second types of switching devices, for enclosing same as an integral unit; the housing of said second type of switching device of substantially identical external construction to the housing of said first type of switching device;

said common element comprising an elongate member extending through aligned housing openings of adjacently stacked switching devices;

said common element of a suitable cross-sectional configuration to freely pass through said aligned hous ing and connect to the trip members enclosed within their respective housings.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7,

said common element of a uniform cross-section throughout the length thereof, and said trip member including a similarly cross-sectioned opening throughout, for the reception of said common element;

said trip member pivotally mounted within its housing for movement into said latch means responsive to movement of said common element in said tripping direction, whereby said latchable means is unlatched.

9. The combination comprising a plurality of individual switching devices, of a first and second type, stacked side by side, and a common element extending between said plurality of switching devices whereby the tripping of any one of said switching devices will cause the remaining ones of said switching devices to trip open; each of said switching devices comprising a movable contact arm, a pair of cooperating contacts one of which is mounted to said contact arm, an operating mechanism including a latchable means and means biasing said latchable means to a first position, a latch for maintaining said latchable means in a second position, a control member operatively connected to said latch, a trip member movable by said latchable means upon operation thereof from said second position to said first position; said control member normally being in a third position, wherein said latch is in latching position, and movable to a fourth position due to the occurrence of a condition whereby said latch is unlatched; said trip member of one of said plurality of switching devices, when moved by its associated latchable means, causing movement of the trip member of each remaining of said plurality of switching devices; movement of the trip members of each remaining of said plurality of switching devices, causing engagement between the last recited trip members and their associated control members thereby unlatching said latch; said latchable means when unlatched permitting said operating mechanism to bring about the disengagement of said cooperating contacts; said common element being positioned within an opening in the trip members of each of said switching devices whereby all of said trip members are operable in unison so that upon the tripping of a one of said switching devices the operating mechanism thereof shall cause movement of the trip member of all of said switching devices, thereby causing the trip member of the remaining switching devices to engage their respective control members to unlatch their respective latches and trip the remaining switching devices;

said first type of switching device being a circuit breaker; an overload sensing control means operatively connected to the circuit breaker latch means for movement thereof to its tripped condition responsive to a predetermined overload condition; said second type of switching device including an auxiliary trip means responsive to other than an overload condition; such that the movement of said second type of switching means to its tripped condition responsive to said other condition moves said common element in a tripping direction to move said first type of switching device to its second condition in the absence of an overload. 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9, an individual housing is provided for each of said first and second types of switching devices, for enclosing same as an integral unit; the housing of said second type of switching device of substantially identical external construction to the housing of said first type of switching device; said common element comprising an elongate member extending through aligned housing openings of adjacently stacked switching devices; said common element of a suitable cross-sectional configuration to freely pass through said aligned housing and connect to the trip members enclosed within their respective housings. 11. The combination as set forth in claim 9, said common element of a uniform cross-section throughout the length thereof, and said trip member including a similarly cross-sectioned opening throughout, for the reception of said common element; said trip member pivotally mounted within its housing for movement into said latch means responsive to movement of said common element in said tripping direction, whereby said latchable means is unlatched. 12. The combination as set forth in claim 10, the latchable means of each of said switching devices being comprised of a cradle and a roller mounted thereto; said cradle being engageable by said latch and said roller being engageable with said trip member for actuation thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,703 4/ 1939 Sandin. 2,996,589 8/1961 Myers 200ll6 3,256,407 6/1966 Klein 200ll6 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

R. N. ENVALL, JR., Assistant Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL SWITCHING DEVICES OF A FIRST AND SECOND TYPE, STACKED SIDE BY SIDE; AND A COMMON ELEMENT EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID PLURALITY OF SWITCHING DEVICES, WHEREBY THE MOVEMENT OF ANY ONE OF SAID PLURALITY OF SWITCHING DEVICES FROM A FIRST TO A SECOND CONDITION CAUSES THE REMAINING ONES OF SAID SWITCHING DEVICES TO MOVE TO SAID SECOND CONDITION; EACH OF SAID SWITCHING DEVICES INCLUDING AN OPERATING MECHANISM HAVING A LATCHABLE MEANS; LATCH MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID LATCHABLE MEANS IN ITS LATCHED CONDITION, WHEREBY IS RESPECTIVE SWITCHING DEVICE IS MAINTAINED IN SAID FIRST CONDITION; SAID LATCH MEANS MOVABLE TO A TRIPPED CONDITION, WHERE BY SAID LATCHABLE MEANS IS UNLATCHED AND ITS RESPECTIVE SWITCHING DEVICE IS MOVED TO SAID SECOND CONDITION; 